Machine for dividing pumpkins.



No. 740,119. PATBNTED SEPT. 29, 1903.

f I. GIQQSSBN, Jn. MAGHINB Po-R DNIDING PUM-PKINS. APPLICATION ILED IAR. 7. 1003.

NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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tlrmll. Y v n vPATENTED SEPT. 29, 1903,

MACHINE FOR DIVIDING PUMPKINS.

APPLICATION FILED HAB.. 7| 1903.

N0 MODEL.

I 1 'Z-/IL-ventor:

fittest:

ive. 74o, i 1 d'.

UNITE STATES '.Patented September 29, 1905".

PATEnlT OFFICE.

ma ...wss-sgg MA-OHIN FOR DlvlolNc'. PUMPKINS.

'srEcIFIcArroN forming part of Letters Patent No. 740,1 19, dal-,ea 'septemioef 29, 190s.

. Application led March 7, 1903. Serial No. 146,674. (No model.)

My invention is a device for rapidly andv conveniently washing and cutting in pieces some of the coarser vegetables, as pumpkins, squash, 8vo., and aiding in separating the valuable parts or meatl of the cut vegetables fromthe seeds and other associated refuse parts.

' Theinventionishereinafterfullydescribed,V and more particularly pointed out inftheclaims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, for-ming a part of this specification. I

Figure 1 is a" plan of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation seen as indicated by arrow 2 in Figi, parts being omitted. Fgf 3 is an-end viewseen as'indica'ted by arrow 3-in-Fig. 2 with parts omitted. Fig'. 4 is a side elevation of a lifting-arm for the minor frame. Fig. 5 is a plan'of a'lifting-arm seenY as indicated by arrow 5 in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section'of parts of the ma chine, taken on the dotted line 6 6 in Fig. -1. Fig. 7 is a plan of some of the central parts of the machine, better showing the arrange# ment ofthe knives and associated parts. Fig..

8 further shows the devices for operatingthe knives, parts being shown in various positions by full and by dotted lines, with parts broken .away and omitted. Fig. 9 is a plan p of the central hub holding the knives and some associated parts with parts broken away. Figsii't, 5, 7, 8, and 9 are drawn to various scales larger than that of the remaining gures.

Referring to the parts shown, A is the main frame, holding the more essential parts of the machine. g

Y B, Figs. 1, 2, and 6, is an inclined wash-box at the front end of the frame, holding water for primarily washing the globes which are fed into the'box at the flaring mouth b. This wash-box is formed with two vertical side Walls x and two inclined bottom boards or parts p t', Figs. 1,2, and @joined at adownwardly-projecting angle w" and together con= stituting the inclined bottom or floor of the wash-box. The pumpkins fed into the box descend along the inclined part'p' of the floor into the water within the box and lodge, primarily, on an inclined endless carrying belt or chain a.

The wash-box is supported at its front end by legs r' and near the rear end by inclined legs or braces s', resting upon a horizontal timber of the frame A. The belt z or-chain ct is held at its lower end upon an idle roller cwithin the wash-box B and at its upper end upon a driving-roller d on a horizontal driving-shaft f, mounted in bearings e c upon the frame A. The shaft f, which is the driving-shaft for the whole machine, pierces thesides ac m atthe upperend of the box B, and it may be revolved'by any convenient means-ias, for instance,an ordinary belt C upon a driving-pulley held by the shaft.

A series of abi-aders, as coarse Sponges or brushes g, are arranged within the wash-box lto act upon and clean the pumpkins as they descend onto the carrying-belt d and are moved thereby upward out of the box. These abraders, shown in the form of brushes, are secured conveniently to the walls ac x' of the .Wash-box and to a longitudinal inclined rail D, held rigidly in place within the box by cross-tiesor stays h, spanning the open upfper side of the box, said rail being over and yparallel with the carrying belt a.

`The brushes projector incline forward toward the passing pumpkins at their operative ends, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to act upon and clean the 'surfaces'of small pumpkins that may be v fedinto the machine, and the stems ofthe brushes are made elastic or of the nature of `box B. A funnel E, held by the frame over the knives, serves to carry the. pumpkins `into the circle of knives, the latter normally ICO standing in inclined positions in conical form, as shown. These coacting knives are held independently on pivotal bearings in hangers 7c, Figs. 6 to 9, equally spaced around and radiating from a common vertical hub Z, supported upon a horizontal cross-timber on of the frame, Figs. 1, 3, 6 to 9, the knives being adapted to assume eitherinclined or vertical positions upon their bearings. The knives 'L' are actuated by a minor horizontal frame or gate F, adapted to move in vertical directions upon guide-rods n, held rigidly in upper and lower horizontal timbers of the frame A. This minor frame F is formed at the middle with a part p surrounding the knives, the latter being in an octagonal opening u in the part p of the frame F, each knife crossing at the middle one of the sides of the Octagon, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. A series of grooved rollers o, held by hangers r, secured to the frame F, arein positions I to bear against the rear edges of the respective knives, each knife resting in the groove y of its coacting roller, as shown. Now by observing Figs. 6 and 8 it will be seen that when the frame F is at its lowest or normal position the knives will from gravity drop or incline backward, as shown by full lines, leaving or forming a conical opening within their cutting edges in which to receive the pumpkins as they descend from the feeder B; but if the frame F be raised to the position indicated by dotted lines all the knives will be raised by the rollers tovertical positions. (Indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8.) Thus raised the cutting edges of the knives will substantially meet at the vertical axial line of the hub l, the inclosed pumpkin being divided into as many spherical wedges or lobes as there are knives in the series. Each knife is provided with a thickened part s at the upper part of its rear edge, constituting an overbalaucing-weight to cause the knife to drop back to its open or normal inclined position,

(shown in Figs. 3, 6, 7, and 8,) when the frame F moves down to its lowest position. (Shown in Fig.2.) Simple stops or rests t, Figs. 1, and 2, in the main frame A, beneath the frame F, serve to arrest the downward motion of the latter at each descentand accurately hold it in position to keep the knives at their proper backward inclinations after each cut. The stops t are short vertical posts, resting at their lower ends on the lower longitudinal side timbers of the frame A, each post being rigid with the frame and adjacent to a guide-rod n of the minor frame F.

To `lift the knife-controlling frame F, periodically equal horizontal shafts G G', Figs. 1 to 7, are provided, one on either side of said frame, resting iu bearings u, Fig. 6, on the main frame A. These shafts are provided, respectively, with equal overhanging intermeshing gears I'I Il', the former being engaged by a pinion o on the driving-shaftf, by means of which the shafts G G are ro,- tated in opposite directions. These shafts G G are each provided with two arms w in positions to strike under and lift the frame F (see Fig. 6) as the shafts are revolved, the frame being lifted once and again descending by gravity to its place upon the stops t at each revolution of the shafts G G. The working faces w, Figs. i and 5, of the arms w are preferably convex in form, which form, however, may be changed or varied at pleasure should occasion require, the actions of the arms against the frame F being like those of cams, the particular curvature or form of the faces serving to control the upward motions of said frame along the rods n. I also prefer to provide the arms w with antifriction-rollers y at their extreme ends, as shown.

With this machine and as an essential part thereof I provide a horizontal carrying de- .vice or conveyer, Figs. 1,2, and 3, for the fragments and parts of the pumpkins falling from the knives t'. This conveyer comprises an endless carrying belt or band a, Figs. l, 2, 3, 6, and 7, held at its ends respectively upon rollers aandb', the latter being the driving-roller for the belt. This belt is not horizontal throughout its entire length, but bent downward at its forward end under the frame A over deflecting idling rollers c' c', Figs. 2 and 6. The bearings of the rollers a and c c' and of the shaft (Z of the driving-roller b' are in the frame or sides of the conveyer I, the shaft d being provided with an overhanging belt-pulley e', Figs. 2, 3, and 7. The shaft G is provided with a belt-pulley f', corresponding with the pulley e' on the shaft d', and a belt gon said pulleys causes the 'carrying-belt z to be operated from the shaft G. A hopper K, Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 7, held by the con veyer I beneath the cutters t', serves to conduct the parts of the pumpkins falling therefrom onto the carrying-belt z.

The table I, which is supported upon legs h', comprises a divided' platform or table L, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7, for receiving upon it the parts of the pumpkins as they come from the knives, a part of the-table being each side of the belt z. yThe mass of cuttings brought back from the knives by the belt .e is thrown or discharged therefrom each way onto the divided table by a two-part or oppositely-acting discharger N. This discharger is usually made of thin sheet metal and formed with two separated opposing parts or sides, both alike as to form, standing edgewise over the carrying-belt s. These sides of the discharger face in opposite directions, each having a downwardly-extended foot i', secured to the body of the table by fasteners la'. The body of the discharger extends forward, overhanging the feet '11', with its lower edge parallel with and close to the belt a. The two sides of the discharger are each formed with two short operating face-sections or faces Z m', one forward of the other, in vertical planes inclined to they adjacent side of the belt a, said shortface-A sections of each side piece being separated ICO IIO

by an intermediate face o' parallel withthe side of the belt. The two forward face-sections Z are Vopposite each other and joined in' an acute dihedral angle over the middleline of the belt z to act against the mass of divided pumpkins upon the belt. The two rear inclined faces m of the sides of the discharger are alsoopposite each other and act simultaneously to clear the belt of all the parts not removed by the faces Z.

The forward angular end of the-disclargei serves to lpush off laterally to the right and to the left onto the table L the larger pieces- Abrought by the belt from the knives,while the smaller masses, as the seeds and other light useless parts, are mainly carried onward to be discharged from the belt by the rear inclined faces m. This form'of the discharger causes it to act in a measure to `divide the valuable parts of the pumpkins from the refuse or worthless parts, materially aiding the attendants at .the sides of the tablein their workof selecting or gathering the meat or body ofthe pumpkins, the worthless parts being thrown back onto the carrying-belts in the space n between the separated sides of the discharger to be finally delivered from the belt at the end o.

It is evident that the number of knives lnay be varied Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its 'ad-v vantages.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- Y l. A device for dividing and separating the parts of pumpkins or similar vegetables, consisting of a series of movable coacting knives pivotally mounted at one end with their pivots arranged in a circle, said knives being free to vibrate in axial planes, a conveyer beneath the knives, a feeder for the latter, and means for operating the knives.

2. A device for dividing pumpkins or other vegetables, consisting of a series of coacting knives equally spacedaround a circle and having their edges inclined 'and each pivotally mounted for movement independent of the others, a conveyer beneath the knives, aA

feeder for the latter, and means for operating the knives.

3. A device for dividing and separatin g the parts of pumpkins or other vegetables, consisting of a series of pivotal knives arranged around a circle, on independent pivots and free to vibrate in axial planes and adapted to assume jointly a conical form, a conveyer beneath the knives, a feeder-,fand means for turning the knives on their bearings.

4t. A machine for dividing pumpkins, con-` sisting of a main frame, a series of pivotal knives carried by said frame, said knives be.

ing pivotally mounted at one end, the pivots being arranged about a circle, and said knives free to vibrate in axialplanes, each knife .be-1 ing adapted to assume successively an in-v clined and a vertical -pc )sition,.a,1 nir 1or frame adapted to move Within the main frame'to change the positions ofthe knives, and Vmeans for controlling said minor frame.

5. A machine for dividing pumpkins, conknives carried by said frame, said knives being mounted on independent pivots and free to vibrate in axial planes, said pivots being arranged about a circle, each knife being adapted to assume successively an inclined and a vertical position, a minor frame within the main frame encompassing the knives, and

vmeans for Ymoving the minor frame against the knives.

sisting of a main frame, a series ofpivotal y6. A machine for dividing pumpkins, con-t' sisting of a main frame, a series of pivotal knives carried by said frame, said knives be-V ing mounted on independent pivots and free to vibrate in axial planes, said pivots being adapted to assume successively an inclined and a vertical position, a minor frame encompassingthe knives, and means for moving the minor frame against the knives, the latter being counterweighted.

7. A machine fordividing pumpkins, consisting of a main frame, a series of pivotal knives carried by said frame, said knives being mounted on independent pivots and free varranged about a circle,-each knifebeing to vibrate in axial planes, said ,pivots'being arranged about a circle, each knife being adapted to assume successively an inclined and avertical position, a minor frame encompassing the knives, and-means for mov ving. the minor frame, and rollers carried by Ithe minork frame to bear against the knives 8. A device of the kind' described, having a main frame, and a series of knives held by said frame and mounted on independent pivots arranged in a circle, saidknives being free to vibrate in axial planes, a vininoriframe having an opening for receiving the knives, said opening being polygonal in form and having as many sides as there are knives, andV means for moving the minor frame against the knives.

9. A device of the kind described, having a main frame, and a series of knives held by the frame and -arranged in a circle, the knives being adapted to move from inclined'to'ver-l the knives held by the main frame and formed.

with an opening for receiving the knives,'and' IIO tical position, a minor frame for controlling 10. A device of the kind described, having a main frame, and a series of independentlypivoted inclined knives held by said frame 'and arranged in a circle, afminor frame with- -in the main frame and having an openingfor receiving the knives, said opening being polygoual in form and having as inanysides as there are knives, a knife being oppositethe middle of each side of the opening, and meansfor moving'the minor frame to operate the knives.

11. A device of the kind described, having a main frame, and a series of independently-pivoted inclined knives held by said frame, a'minor frame within the main frame and having an opening for receiving the knives, two shafts held by the main frame one at either' side of and parallel with. the minor frame, and arms on said shafts for lifting the minor frame, and means for turning the shafts in opposite directions.

12. A device for dividing pumpkins, having a series of knives, a vertically-movable frame carrying said knives, a hopper beneath said frame, a feeder forthe knives consisting of a wash-box, an inclined carrier-belt in the box, and means for moving said belt, said knives being pivoted at one end, the pivots being arranged in a circle and said knives being free to vibrate in axial planes.

13. A device for dividingr pumpkins, having a series of knives, said knives being pivoted at one end with the pivots arranged in a circle andthe knives free to vibrate independently of each other in'axial planes, a feeder for the knives consisting of a washbox having oppositely-inclined portions, a partially-submerged carrier-beltin the longer portions of the box with means to drive it, and a series of abraders in the box adjacent to the carrier-belt, to act against the pumpkins.

14. A device for dividing pumpkins, having a series of knives, a feeder for the knives consisting of a wash-box having two inclined bottom boards joined in an angle to form the bottom of the box, a carrier-belt in the box parallel with one inclined bottom board of the box, a beam over the belt having two inclined parts or sections joined in an angle, and a series of brushes carried by the beam and the sides of the box adjacent to the belt -and disposed at right angles to eachother,

and means for driving the belt.

15. A machine for dividing pumpkins, havthe adjacent edge of the belt, and 'means for driving the belt.

16. A machine for dividing pumpkins, hav-l ing a series of knives, a feeder for the knives, and a conveyer for the divided pumpkins, comprising a carrying-belt, a table, and a discharger for the belt having two opposite sides each having parts parallel with the sides of the belt and parts inclined thereto, the latter being opposite and acting in opposite directions.

17. A machine for dividing pumpkins, having a series of knives, a feeder for the knives, and a conveyer for the divided pumpkins comprising a carrying-belt, a table, and a discharger for the belt having two opposite sides each having parts parallel with the sides of the belt and alternated parts inclined thereto, one inclined part of each side of the discharger being forward of the other, and the two forward ones together forming a dihedral angle.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 25th day of February, 1903, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN GOOSSEN, JR.

Witnesses:

ENos B. WHITMORE, MINNIE SMITH. 

